Reis was a silent man, as a child he had always had a fascination with electronics and had taken them apart to see how they worked. As he got older he began puting them back together with ease and eventually he began dabbling in software. The years went by and his 23rd birthday hit.

June 3rd, 2015 08:55

"23 already, man you must be feeling old," his coworker Jason joked as he got coffee from the lounge. "Think you might go grab some beers for the party?" He snickered.

"I don't drink beer, it tastes like piss to me. I'd settle for an irish coffee anyday," Reis replied as he punched his employee ID into the timeclock.

Reis walked over to his desk and sat down to the report-cluttered desk. He began thumbing through some of the papers until he happened across a wax sealed envelope. "Strange," he whispered as he opened the letter.

Dearest Reis,

You may not know me, but I certainly know you. Your life is less than exciting is it not?

(He raised an eyebrow at this and continued reading.)

I have a gift to give you, I'll be seeing you soon my child.

Reis crumpled the letter and tossed it in the trash bin beside his desk. He figured it was a joke being played on him by one of his coworkers. He logged into the computer and began work as usual.

June 3rd, 2015 17:34

Reis began walking home, storm clouds were looming overhead. "Shit, shoulda brought my jacket," he said out loud. He took a shortcut through the Diamond Mall and made good time getting back to his small one bedroom apartment. before he could get his key into the lock an elderly woman put a boney hand on his shoulder.

"If you had the option of living a different life... would you take it?," her voice sounded like a whisper from far away.

Reis shivered as she spoke. "Who are you?"

The old woman placed a small necklace in his hand and closed his fingers around it. When he turned to face her, he was greeted by nothing. He looked at the necklace she had placed in his hand, a small piece of silver engraved with a wolf was attached to the chain.

"Weird," he turned his key in the lock and shut the door behind him. A strange feeling of uneasiness filled him but he felt compelled to wear the necklace. Call it a strange sense of morbid curiosity but he was curious why he had been given the trinket, a part of him knew that wearing it would reveal the answer to him so he put it on. Nothing, nothing at all. Seems the necklace was just an ordinary piece of jewelry, he decided to keep it on as he thought it was pretty none-the-less.

Joshua Day,24 as a human was not the most outgoing person, the youngest of three children in the Day family born years apart from two very competitive sisters, the eldest being the smart one becoming a lawyer, the second eldest sportier one went on to became a doctor and traveled the world. Feeling infer to both Joshua grew up trying to say out the way of both of them finding more solace with house pets then anyone in his family. Now distancing himself from his family since going to college Joshua struggles to make through his boring life working at the Blue Gull bar as a bartender to pay his way through college to find something to do with his life.

June 3, 2015 13:33- 14:47 PM

Joshua was awaking from amazing dream by a fast drumming on a hard surface that seems to echo in his small apartment, cracking a blurry to find the source of this rude awaking he mentally cursed as they set upon the culprit. Groaning he reach over to grab the vibrating phone sitting on his night stand before flipping it over to see who was going to be put on today murder list. The picture of a brown hair man in sunglasses sat on his phone screen along with a green button to accept or a red button to ignore. Josh hit the red button and tossed his phone back on his night stand, before closing his eyes so he could fall back to sleep. A second later his eyes shoot open as his phone began vibrating again, groaning again he reach over to pick up his phone and saw the same picture. Cursing, he surrendered to fact that he was not going to be able to get back to his dream, he pick up the phone and hit accept

“What do you want?” said Josh grumpily

“Well good day to you too, sunshine” came the voice of Josh’s co-worker Danny

“Dan, skip the chit chat and jump to why you’re calling me on my day off.” Said Josh getting out of bed heading for bathroom

“Okay, okay look I need a huge favor,” Came Dan voice “can you cover my shift today, please.”

“And why would I give up a day of no work and no school to cover your shift?” replied Josh “after two nights in a row of closing up.”
“Cause I have this thing and I’d be a big help to me.” Said Dan and Josh didn’t like how ambiguous he said thing.

Josh thought about it, weighing his options as to what he would do today. Sighing he said:
“Alright, but you’re covering my next closing shift deal?”

“Deal!” said an excited Dan “and thanks Man” and with that the line went dead.

“Thing my ass.” Said Josh tossing his phone on the bed “Twenty dollars says it a woman he thinks he has a shot with.”
Joshua blow out a breath as he moved towards his dresser to grabbed a set of his cleanest work clothes putting them into a backpack, then grab a set of running clothes before moving towards the bathroom again to take a shower. Once showered and dressed Josh headed back into his main room scooping up his phone, notice a text notification.

Mom: Hey Josh I don’t know if know but your sis-

Josh stop reading and deleted at once

“I’m already in a mood I don’t needed any more fuel to that fire.” He said grabbing his bag and coat and head for the door pausing a moment to grab his ear buds. Just as his hand reach the hand he felt his phone buzz. He glanced down half expecting a message from his sister only to find it from an unknown sender. Curiosity got the better of him and he open it and read

Unknown: Hello Joshua, you don’t know me, but I know you and your desire to find excitement in your life. When we meet I have a gift for you, but until then carry on.

Josh read and re-read the text, before closing the message and filed it away in his mine in weird. After putting away his phone, Josh existed his apartment locking it up after him and head down the stairs smiling as he popped in his ear buds
“Nothing beat a parkour run in the afternoon.” He thought before sprinting off in the direction of the Blue Gull.

June 4, 2015 02:50 AM

“Next time I see Dan,” muttered Josh as he existed the bar’s back entrance “I’ll have to hurt him somehow for not mentioning he had closing shift.”

He made his way to the empty street readying himself for his run back to his apartment when someone ran into him grabbed his arm. In Shock he ready himself to push the offender away from him when an older feminine voice.

“If you were offered a different life…would you take it?”

Any words of telling off the woman froze in Joshua’s throat when woman spoke. Her voice seem to send both fear and awe through him making him shutter.

“W-wh-What…” was all Joshua could manage at moment.

The woman straighten herself and Josh wished he had more light where they were so he could see the woman’s face. The woman grabbed Josh’s hand and held for a second before, contained down the street turning the corner. Leaving Josh frozen in his spot. It took him a few seconds before his brain and body began and realized that he had something in the hand she held. He ran to the corner that she was last seen.

“H-Hey wait you forg-.” He stop short looking up a street was empty as well. “What the-.”

Joshua turned looking around for any sign of life on the street. Blowing out a breath he opened his hand to find he was holding a silver ring and with the help a nearby street light saw he could see the image of a bird in flight. As he looked at the ring, Josh couldn’t shake the strange uneasy feeling coming from the ring. Joshua turned to leave spotting a storm drain, all it would take was a slip of a finger and the creepy ring would be gone, hold out his hand as if was going to go through with it, but what was stopping him was feeling he should really hold on to it. He stood there debating until his tired mind chimed in reminding him he it was three o’clock in the morning and should head home.

“Well looks like you spared for now, little ring.” He said slipping in on his ring finger of left hand slightly shock at how perfect it fit despite the unease he still had “Hmm maybe I’ll keep you a little longer I don’t have a lot of nice things.” With that decide Josh ran back his apartment and after stripping out of his clothes fell into bed still wearing the ring.

Growing up Miranda had always been interested in things like the army and military. Most of which can be attributed to having been raised and schooled in a military household. Thus it made since when she turned 18 and enlisted. Though many of the men tried to intimidate and discourage her she finally passed and became a soldier.

After two tours of duty she left the military finding that with out much conflict she had become bored, and sought to find work as a mercenary. Her life would drastically change though as she began guarding the rich and powerful using the money she got to invest in to more and more weapons that she was finding less uses for.

During a rather dull night out off duty she found herself walking along the ocean side her thoughts drifting on the water, she didn't notice the old woman walking in the opposite direction of her until the woman stopped abruptly blocking the path.

"Oh pardon me I wasnt paying attention," Miranda stated almost running into the woman as the world around her seemed to lose sound. That was until the woman spoke, "you have been seeking a life of excitement and thrill my child?"

Miranda blinks and clears her throat nervously,"what are you talking about? She replys.

The woman's voice quiets to a whisper as she reaches out taking Miranda's mands, " if you could live another life... Would you join the excitement?"

She slides a bracelet into Miranda's hands before letting her hands go and moving back. Looking down at the item Miranda notices that it is shaped like a coiling dragon, the scales glimmering in the moon light.

When she looks up the old woman is gone along with and trace of her prints in the sand. "What the...." She thinks to herself as she slides the bracelet onto her wrist. Losing herself back in though about the old woman and the bracelet Miranda makes her way back home; her body running on instinct as she moves to her bad laying down on it the memories of the beach playing over and over as she drifts off to sleep

Reis woke up highly disoriented, his head ached and his body felt like millions of pins and needles were lightly poking him in every pore. He walked to the bathroom for his morning business and shower. As he applied the shampoo he noticed something was seriously wrong with his hand. Jumping back and falling through the door to his shower he screamed. It was then he noticed his legs, groin and torso were changed. He then passed out.

2 hours later...

Reis woke up and took a minute to get his bearings. He examined his body and got up. After standing up he was suprised at how easily he balanced on his newly shaped legs. A new joint where his calf used to be was interesting to say the least. He got up and walked over to his fridge, a low growl came from his stomach. A disgusting smell came from the fridge as he opened it causing him to slam it shut immediately.

"Christ!"

He went and got dressed to the best of his ability, his pants no longer fit properly so he had to cut slit in the bottom to accommodate his legs and another in the rear to accommodate his tail. He checked his wallet and found $42.

"At least I've got something going for me," he said under his breath.

He cautiously peeked outside of his apartment door, the hall was decrepit and a strange smell wafted through the door. The smell was something akin to death and recently burned plastic and wood. A large rat scurried across the hall and escaped through a large hole in an apartment door. Terrified he slowly made his way down the hall hoping to any god out there that this was a bad dream.

The boards creaked as he made his way to the stairs, each one causing him to flinch. When he finally made it to the stairs he took one step and the wood cracked, he fell through the stair and landed on top of some rubble. He groaned and checked himself for injury, just a few cuts and scrapes. He got up slowely and wobbled a bit before making his way to a giant gaping hole in the apartment complex.

An explosion went off just down the street from him and he got pelted with debris. He ducked behind the wall breathing heavily. "I have got to stop playing those damned video games," he thought to himself brushing the debris off of his fur. Just then he heard what sounded like a group of people moving in his general direction. They were behind the door to his right that went to the managers office. He put his ear to the door to see if he could gauge their aggression or at least figure out what the hell was going on.

"Alpha team is in position, orders?" It sounded like a woman's voice.

"Proceed to position Charlie-1-2-1 and assist Bravo in holding that location," a voice crackled through what Reis assumed was a 2 way radio.

The door handle turned and seemed to be locked. He moved away from the door just before it came crashing down from the heavy force of a boot. The soldiers streamed in and took notice of him immediately, their guns raised.

"Who are you, are you with the NVR!? Answer now!" A soldier exclaimed.

The female soldier looked Reis up and down, "At ease boys, I don't think he's even sure where he is." She reached a hand out to Reis offering to help him up.

Reis took her hand. "I have a lot of questions," he said shaking off the shock of being held at gunpoint.

"I don't know if we have answers but I can tell you we don't have a lot of time. Follow us and stay close, you are in an active warzone in southern Anchorage, Alaska," she immediately gave the signal to move on and Reis followed closely behind.

When Joshua awoke it was still dark looking much like when he went to bed, and for a while he had a hard time believing he was even awake especially after the endless list of bazaar dreams. He remembered one where he was running from something, then another where was flying in the sky, Oh then there was one where he felt like a bunch knifes were trying to escape from under his skin.

“Urgh... weird dreams suck.” He groaned sleepily before rolling out of bed, stretching his shoulders which were really sore.

He started off towards the bathroom, but the moment he was three steps from his bed he lost his footing falling to the floor. Joshua shock his head trying to rid himself of the sleep daze, for a person who could walk on the edge of a building over a busy street this unsteadiness was very disconcerting in fact both of his legs seem odd. Pushing himself back up half walked haft stumbled the rest of the way to the bathroom. Hitting the light switch.

“Ah Hell” he growled shutting his eyes against the blinding light “Jesus.”

He tried opening them again but cursed, It was like someone shoved a super bright high beam directly into his eye. Deciding shower blind today, Josh moved on memory alone towards the shower unwilling to subject his eyes to the pain of the harsh light, feeling for soap and shampoo when he needed it. Once done, he grabbed the towel from it hook and began drying himself.

"Okay, one more time." he said wrapping the towel around waist.

He opened his eyes slowly, breathed a sigh as this time the light didn't make him want to gouge out his eyes. It took a moment for them to adjust, but with with every second the room came more and more in focus. Rolling his neck, Josh turned to head to the sink when he stop dead. Starring back him was six foot humanoid bird creature with black feathers, curved beck, and fan like tail.

"That can't be..." thought Josh quickly raising his arm and saw the same large cluster of white tip black feathers as the image in the mirror. "No this is.. Just a dream.. yeah that it I'm dreaming... The bed"

Josh heart was beating fast and his head was spinning, moving from the bathroom to the main room back towards the bed. by the time he reach it his world was spinning, closing his eyes Josh black out.

Three hours later.

Josh was awoken by cloudy day sunlight, it grey light quickly told it was time to get up. Sitting up in bed he rubbed his eyes, that was until remember the dream. He looked down at his hands and saw that it was still covered with feathers.

"So not a dream, huh" he said quietly leaning back against the wall looking at his hand before a smile broke of his face. "Somehow i think that suits me."

Getting out of bed, Josh walked over to his dresser to see he could find something that would fit his new body. He figured pant weren't going to be that big of a problem if they were big enough given that his legs from the knee down where skinnier and scaly also third joint which was actually his ankle so now walking on his toes all four. After a quick search he manage to find pair of cargo shorts and a sleeveless T that work, the tricky part was his fan like tail, with a few modification to the pants he was set.

"Okay." he said walking towards the window giving a sniff and grimace as looked around his room "Jeez was this place always this smelly."

Shrugging he peer out the window. "OH WHAT THE HELL" he said in shock at the deplorable situation the street below It looked like a god damn war zone "I mean I know l live in a shitty part of town but this is unreasonable."

Blowing out a breath, Joshua turn a quickly strolled over to his desk grabbing a black sling pack then started to shove a set of clothes, his sketch book, some drawing stuff, small first aid kit, his phone, his wallet with some cash, And a metal water bottle. Once was done with the other stuff josh returned to the desk, kneeling down he open the bottom drawer and pulled out a lock black case. He quickly enter the unlock code and opened it revealing a SIG Sauer P226r, a present to himself on his 21st birthday after he got the training to handle it and the paper work to carry it, something to hopefully chase away the mundane in life.

"Never thought I might actually need you." he said picking up holster clipping it to his belt, then picking up the pistol and one it's three loaded clips he had, loading the clip and pulling the slide placed the pistol in the holster. He grabbed the other two clips and put them in his pocket a well as a box of the ammo his bag "Okay let go." he said slinging the bag over his shoulder as he head over to the door.

Once out the door, Josh breathed out a sigh if he thought the state of the building was bad before to was nothing compared to what it looked like now: missing step in the stairs, holes in the wall, and mold everywhere. "This is going to be tricky." said Josh then smiled "Perfect."

After a couple minutes and few close calls were the floor gave out, Joshua found himself on the ground floor dusting his hands. "better than any game." he thought as peer out the door of the building. the street was clear, but it looked a lot worst on ground level then from above he could see walls of building were just gone. He stepped out from cover, In most situation he would head to The Blue Gull and at the moment that sound like a good that was until he was two block away and explosion started going off to his left and right had him diving for cover and falling building.

"Okay not so fun." he muttered "Were the fuck am I." but then paused listening he could hear movement coming towards. Ducking down he slowly peer out and saw group of uniformed soldiers deck in combat gear moving into view. Joshua watched them a moment before deciding to attempt to talk to them, at least get gauge of them. He stash his pistol in his bag before stepping out from his hiding place Hands raised "Ah excuse me would you my mind point me in the direction out of this war zone."

the imitate reaction was that he suddenly had several guns pointed at him. "good reaction time" he thought as he watch a soldier move toward him.

"Identify yourself." came older male voice

"My names Is Joshua, and at moment I'm lost with no idea as to what the hell is going on."

"How is that even possible?" Said another soldier

"Doesn't matter," said the first soldier looking at Joshua "Jones contact commanded and alert them we have a civilian" there was yes sir from the one of the soldiers "you" he said pointing at Josh "lower your arms and Step down here you'll sticking with us until we're back at base where they will sort you out, Understand."

"Yes sir." said Josh sincerely "Umm may at least ask were we are and what going on?."

"Sure, Your in eastern part of southern Anchorage, Alaska" said older man then smiled " and as to whats going on, well War"

Miranda growled softly as the alarm on the table began to erupt in the monotone beep that she had become accustomed to. Reaching over she would switch off the device while the face shot back in soft red lighting indicating that the time was now 4 a.m.

Looking around the room she groggily sat up and headed in to her bathroom turning on the light switch. As her gaze fell apon the mirror her blood ran cold and instinct kicked in as she pulled the hidden pistol from under the sink as the reflection mimiced the movements. Her body moving with trained percussion the compact Glock G42 fires off three rounds as the mirror shatters.

As her breathing slows she lowers the weapon setting in the sink her heart now racing as her mind attempted to process the image she had seen. Where her flesh had been now was covered in deep red scales. Her height from what she could see had remained unchanged but her legs now had an extra bend just under the knee allowing to bend backwards and her feet now clawed toes. The most burning into her mind was the eyes, the snake like eyes that contrasted so harshly with the red reptilian scales was the ice blue irises.

The train of thought was broken by a knocking on the door followed by the handle turning and cracking open, "Ma'am is everything alright!?" The voice called sending her brain into overload.

It had been years since she was a commanding officer. Not since the fighting overseas has her heard the voices, the commands, or questions of subordinates and supirors alike. And like the well oiled machine she answered, "everything is fine return to your post!" Was the last thing she remembered before her mind and the world around her went black.

*Two hours pass*

Miranda opened her eyes and shook her head finding herself back in the bathroom on the floor. She stood slowly this time carefully taking in the surroundings of the room; it all seemed the same but something was definitely off. As she searched she dressed the clothing and body armor seemed to fit without much of a hassle. Holstering her pistol she noted and grabbed the rifle and daggers from the table beside the door attaching them onto her person as she carefully opened the door looking out on the bomb ridden street and buildings surrounding them.

Swinging the door open an officer stood and saluted," at ease soldier status report?" Her orders and voice ringing clear she body running in an almost autopilot state.

"As of 0530 orders came in to move forward and check for civilians and mark casualties ma'am. The emeny has advanced and taken more ground here in western and northern Anchorage. Other squads had also been deployed in the area to aid in the searches." He finishes as she nods letting the key information sink into her brain before speakong right away. "Then get the troops together and move out I want this kept nice and tight with no mishaps."

"It's funny o left the military just to be brought right back in" chuckling to herself she shoulders her rifle and walks out onto the street the sounds of war surrounding the area as she begins the task of searching buildings.

Reis followed the soldiers as they wove between derelict vehicles taking cover and giving callouts. Sounds of gunfire made the air vibrate and the smell of smoke and gunpowder filled the air. The streets were cracked with small craters dotting the blacktop from explosives and ricocheted rounds. The buildings empty and some mcrumbling created an atmosphere of both a ghost town and a wartorn city.

"Jackson, check out that church."

Jackson nodded and made his way up to the side of the church signalling another of the soldiers to give him a boost so he could look through the window. After a minute of surveying the inside of the building he quickly made his way to a side door and checked the handle, it was locked. He then disappeared around the back with the other soldier in tow.

"Who are you fighting? What is going on?" Reis quietly asked the commanding officer.

"We are fighting the HFC. They preach equality for all but they attack our people openly and without mercy for no reason." She replied in a hushed tone.

"What is the HFC?"

"The Human Freedom Coalition, we thought the were a civil rights group until they staged several attacks on civilian centers across the West Coast of North America and Alaska. They've been branded a terrorist organization." She leaned out to look towards the church and turned back to Reis. "You really don't know where you are do you?"

Reis shook his head, the information made his head spin and he leaned against a car to keep his balance. A few minutes go by and the soldiers that went to check out the church returned.

"The church is clear looks like there are some rations in the storage room in the back, along with a little something extra." Jackson smirked. The commanding officer motioned for everyone to move into the church.

"We are going to take a moment to rest up in here, grab what rations are in the storage and divvy them out. Eat up and get ready to move out, we need to get to Bravo team to help them secure the area ASAP."

Reis looked at the old church and memories filled his head of people praying. He was never one for religion but he could help but feel uneasy in this structure. He looked over to the C.O, "how far are we from Bravo?"

"About 2 clicks out. If we are lucky it should be relatively uneventful getting there. Also my name is Sandra, Sandra Vullian."

"Reis Northcoat," he shook her hand and continued looking around the derelict church.

"So what happened to you? How is it you don't know where you are or what is going on? Did you hit your head or something?" Sandra took a bite out of a granola bar she had stashed in her vest.

"I don't know, I woke up in my apartment and everything seemed... fine until I looked out the window and realized something wasn't right. For all I know I may as well have amnesia."

Sandra nodded, an understanding look in her eye before her attention turned to noises coming from outside the church. "Squad ready up, noise outside."

The soldiers all dropped their food and readied their weapons. Footsteps came from outside and the handle on the door to the church began rattling. Everyone moved behind cover and focused their attention on the front door, weapons pointed and finger on the triggers. The air seemed to get cold and tense as they waited for what seemed like hours.

"Who's there!" Sandra exclaimed "State your identification!"

"Bravo 2-3, we have wounded!" A voice came from outside the door. "Sandra is that you!?"

"Open the door!" Jackson and another soldier ran up and opened the door. A blood drenched soldier came running in with 2 others carrying a soldier whos body seemed twisted and mangled in unnatural ways but was breathing quick raspy breaths.

"What the hell happened?" Sandra asked the blood drenched soldier.

"I don't know, we were checking a street with old housing and all of a sudden we were attacked by something. Noone could make it out, most of my squad was..." He paused for a moment, his voice shaking, "Ripped apart."

"Wraiths," Sandra said under her breath. "We need to leave, now." her tone giving signs of intense fear.

The squad immediate made a gurney out of an old church bench and secured the mangled soldier to it. They all exited the church and quickly made their way back down the street they came from. Unnatural screams came from the opposite direction and made Reis' heart skip a beat.

"Where are we going to go?" Reis asked Sandra.

"Back to the operations camp, I need to report this to Captain Dramond."

Meanwhile Joshua was following his group of solders, the fine ladies and gentleman of Echo team. He was actually getting to know them, it took a little while, but they were opening up.

"So there he was his head in the toilet, telling the world how he was never having another drink, isn't that right rookie" finished Pvt. Even Daniels leaning close to Joshua, "No Shit" said Joshua chuckling. "Y-YYour full of shit, Daniels" came a voice and both men turned to look at Pvt. Benjamin "The Rookie" Erickson blushing heavily. "What was that Rookie" he said putting his hand around his ear, "i don't think you said it right". Josh watched Ben sigh then "I said your full of shit, sir" he said stressing the last world. "Atta boy." said Daniels smiling and giving a thumbs up back at Ben who seem to blush harder.

"Oh Jeez," came another voice to and Joshua turn to look one of the teams two female members her hand on her face. "Something wrong, ma'am?" he asked looking puzzled.

"Oh, her nothing wrong with her," said Daniels "That just her natural state, right Carolina?" PFC Carolina Harrison lowered her hand to give Daniels finger "Stuff it Daniels, and while your at it stop talking in general your boring our guest." She turned to look at Josh "I'm fine, Mr. Day I'm Just tired of dealing with these idiots."

"What," said Daniels with surprised "No I'm not, Josh here loves my, right." He quickly looked Joshua and Josh quickly took the opportunity presented going stone face so put on his best nervous look and glancing to the side so as not to meet Deniels's eyes. "right?" he asked in a unsure voice. "Ah...Well" said Josh looking at Daniels crest falling face it's smile gone, Josh smirked "They're not bad." He heard Carolina cover a snort laughter as Daniels glared at him "Asshole" then brighten "You had me going there."

Sadly that was the last thing spoken, as gun shots rang out and all hell broke out. Daniels shoved Josh behind cover as he and Carolina returned fire with the rest of the squad. Josh glanced around for the Rookie, he forgot how to breath as spotted the solder's body a yard or two back on the ground, red pooling. "Ah Shit" he thought looking around, his squad had fail to notice he was down busy with returning fire with the attackers. Joshua breathed out forcing himself to steady as prepare himself, Maybe he couldn't fight but, he could retrieve the rookie. "Nothing Ventured nothing gained" he thought as he bolt from cover. He reach the fallen solder and grabbing him by the combat vest heading back to cover. He was a lot heavier then he thought he would be, somehow with luck they both manage to get to cover. Joshua quickly notice with relief that the rookie was alive, but bleeding from a wound on neck shoulder area. Taking off his bag, Joshua dug out his bandages, applying them to the wound and keeping it there until the firefight end.

"That'll show yo, assholes" came Daniels voice as gunfire came to quick end. "Hey Day it saf-Oh shit Medic" Joshua looked as Daniels and Carolina knelt beside him "When he get hit?" one asked "With the first bullet I think, he was on the ground when i looked around." said Joshua sliding back a little to allow his team to help him. He seem to drift away from the solders, feeling as if there was nothing else he could do to help. He wondered over to a bombed out building, His heart was thumping hard in his chest, his hands were shaking and he like it . He looked down at his hands seeing the rookies blood still on him, wiping them on his pants he turned to leave until eye caught something in the rubble. Walking over he prayed to a heavenly force that it still worked.

Meanwhile "What happen." came a gruff voice of Sarge the man in charge of Echo "report." "Rookie took a bullet, sir" said Carolina scooting over to allow the teams medic work room "Will he make it?" "He should, but anything can happen out here, I'd like to get him back to base camp." said the medic. Sarge blow out a breath "Command ordered a full return to camp, get him on a stretcher Daniel's help the medic we need to double time it." "Ay sir" "Something bad must happen if command has ordered a full return." He turned head off, but paused "Where's the civilian." "He right here, si-" said Daniels looking around "Day?" Their attention was suddenly pulled as they heard a loud noise and ready themselves for a fight. A vehicle came roaring out of a building coming to a stop in front to the solders. Joshua open the driver's door a pleased look on his face "Hey Guy" he said "Check out what I found."

15 minutes later
Joshua was now seated between Daniels was in the driver seat and Sarge who had shotgun, somehow they all manage to squeeze in to the green military issued Humvee and were now driving down the streets. Joshua had hoped that since he found it he get to drive, A hope that thoroughly crushed by the five minute sarge chewing him out. So now he sat awkwardly between them listening to radio chatter coming from Jones's radio in the backseat.
Suddenly Jones spoke up "Sir I got a request for assistance."

"Whose it from, Jones" replied Sarge

"Sir it's Charlie 1-2-1, they met up with Bravo they got wounded, a civilian and wait repeat." there was a pause before Jones spoke again "They are confirmed wraiths, sir"

"Oh Shit" said Daniels making Joshua look at him "Jones get on the horn and tell Charlie 1-2-1 give us their coordinates, tell them to hold on we can't get the whole team out but we can their wounded out, and when done with that send those coordinates to command tell them to send aid."

"Yes sir" came Jones voice "Daniels Step on it." said Sarge "Yes Sir".
It took about twenty minutes for them to meet up with Charlie 1-2-1 Daniel pulling up fast "Echo team fall out and assist" said Sarge jumping, and Joshua went to move, but Daniels put a hand on his shoulder "you Should stay." Josh nodded,but wasn't happy about it. Looking up he notice the hole meant for gunners,

"He wasn't technically leaving the vehicle" he thought as he stood up get a better view. He watched as solders started moving wound on makeshift stretcher to the back of the Humvee. He quickly spotted Carolina with the medic while Daniels covered them scanning solders saw Sarge talking with a woman with normally dressed grey wolf male next to her. "That must be the civilian." he thought but before he could wave at them. he heard an unholy screams and snarls coming from down the street "What the fuck was that?" he said up.

After the morning "festivities" Miranda now sat at base camp in her mind there was many questions still unanswered but she was determined to get to the bottom of a few things. The first being who their opponent or opponents were. After a few words with the officer that briefed her she had learned that he was Corporal Lance Heart.

"Corporal get me as munch information you can so I can review and... Adjust our current sweep strategy," she half asked and half ordered causing Heart to look at her for a few moments his expression showing his confusion.

"Ma'am I don't mean to speak out of term but is now the best time for that?" He swallowed working up a little more courage as he continued, "we have reports of wraiths from both Bravo, Charlie, and Echo squads."

The information only helped in causing more confusion as her stayed silent for a moment.
"Which is why we need to hold our position here and I need the information Corporal. We need to keep this area at least until the squads get back to us in case they have wounded. Now get me the information I asked for Corporal that IS an order."

The Corporal nodded leaving her by herself with her thoughts.

'OK so as far as I can tell I'm in Alaska everyone in this seems to be one animal or another. Corporal Heart being what send to be a Siamese cat..' Her thoughts trailed off as her sat at the small table placing her pistol of it, a small habit that she has never truely broken, as she studied the world around her taking in all of the destruction that this war had brought on to the land.

Her concentration broke when several large folders landed in front of her containing the information not only of the battle thus far but of the officers and soldiers that currently had in Bravo, ChaHFC.lie, and Echo squads. Pushing the folder away she opened the next to see that it contained the information known on the HFC.

"Great " freedom fighters" just what I wanted to see" she growled to herself skimming threw the pages untilit hit the known information about the wraiths. Her mind pictured the creatures as she read over the details and accounts of attacks leaving bodies twisted and mangled. As she read she failed to hear the vehicle approaching in the distance her hand moving over to her gun as she felt the sensation of fear running down her spine.

The Captain jumped turning her gun trained on the corporal as he approached to the side of her. As her gun trained he stopped and raised his hands in suprise.

"C..captain?" His words come out softly as she blinked regaining her composure. "What is it Corporal?" She answered holstering her weapon standing to meet his gaze.

"We have some civilians in custody from the battle field ma'am. There was also reports of wraiths in the area that have killed and injured some of our men." He saluted as she approached him her eyes narrowing slightly. "Good corporal lets get ready to move out as room as the teams return."

"Ma'am yes ma'am," the corporal saluted although a bit unsure.